Automatic air release means for vacuum systems



Oct. 30, 1934. cc

AUTOMATIC AIR RELEASE MEANS FOR VACUUM SYSTEMS Filed June 26, 1933 icc i:

\iiii! by INVENTOR,

Jack R R 'rlllllllllll 7l/I/IIII/I/IIII/IllIlla rllllllllllll MMM .lllllllil S VACUUM LINE w... uz. r=5o PUMP Patented Oct. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC Am RELEASE MEANS FOR VACUUM SYSTEMS 12 Claims.

This invention relates to and has for an object the provision of an improved method and means for releasing air from vacuum systems such as are employed in filling containers with a 5 liquid, particularly useful in the canning or hottling of fruit juices.

In the operation of a system for the purpose described the fruit juices are usually held in a large vat or tank, from which the juices flow by o gravity, or vacuum, to a battery of fillers. A

vacuum pump is connected with the top of the tank and also with the fillers so that a balanced vacuum is maintained thruout. The containers for the juices are held during the filling opera- 6 tions within vacuum chambers so as to exclude air as far as possible from the containers.

Each filler, however, is controlled by a valve which regulates the flow of juice from the supply line to the containers, and air leaks thru the valves and finds its way in the form of bubbles into the juice as it enters the containers, thus hastening the deterioration of the juices.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an air release device connected in the-vacuum line from the pump and also in the supply line from the tank, and including an automatically operable valve so positioned and arranged as to prevent the movement of the air downwardly into the juice containers and induce the flow thereof upwardly into and from a suitable receptacle or chamber connected with the vacuum pump.

Accordingly, when my improvements are installed in a vacuum system for canning or bottling fruit juices or other liquids air will be excluded from the containers and the canned or bottled juices will not be subject to deterioration, as in the present methods employed.

Other objects may appear as the description my invention progresses.

I have shown in the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment of my invention, subject to modification within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view, in elevation of a vacuum system embodying my improvements.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of an automatic air release mechanism of my invention, forming a part of a typical system for canning or bottling fruit juices.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of the same on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of one of the 5 filler units.

filling units F, F etc., each of which is connected with the supply line S by means of branch pipes S, S, etc. Each of the units F is also connected with a main vacuum line V leading to the pump P.

In addition to the elements named I add to the system an air release device R which is connected with the vacuum pipe V directly as by means of a section 1, and additionally by means of a by-pass pipe 2 having a shut-off valve 3 therein. The supply pipe S, beyond the remotest of the filler units F also connects with the bottom of the release device R by means of a section of pipe 4.

It will be noted that the vacuum pipe 5 from the pump P to the tank T has a control valve 6 therein and the main vacuum line V has a similar valve 7 therein at a point between the pump P and the nearest of the filler units F. Also each of the branch filling pipes S has a valve 8 intermediate the main pipe S and the filling unit F.

The type of filling unit shown in Fig. 4 includes a stationary hood 9, usually of glass and having an air tight connection with the pipe S. In the bottom of the hood 9 a rubber gasket 10 is held for the purpose of making air tight engagement with the table or plate 11 of a movable member 12 of the unit.

The members 12 of the filler units are adapted to be manually operated for moving the plates 11 thereof into and from engagement with the gaskets 10 of the associated hoods, so that cans or receptacles 13 held on said plates may be held within the hoods 9 and beneath the outlets of pipes S during filling operations. The members 12 have flexible tubes 14 leading to the main vacuum pipe V, and said tubes communicate with passages 15 formed in the plates 11 and having outlets 16 on the upper side of said plates. Thus, when the two filler members 9 and 12 are in engagement the chambers 17 within hoods 9 are subjected to the suction in tubes 14 and pipe V, for the purpose of evacuating the chambers 1'? of air preparatory to the filling of the cans 13 with the juice J.

The main supply pipe S is inclined from a point intermediate tank T and the first filler unit F to a point below the air release device R so that any air which may leak thru the joints and connections of the supply pipes S and S, or particularly thru the valves 8, will rise into the as by means of a pair or more of stay rods 21 securedat their lower ends toi 'theplate 20 and at their upper ends to a cross bar, or bars, or a skeleton member 22.

As shown in Fig. 2, the end of pipe 4 from the juice supply line is secured to andis open at the top of plate 20 so that the juice J may flow into and partially fill the receptacle 19' to a predetermined normal level. The vacuum pipe 1 leading from the main vacuum lineV also is secured to and terminates at the top of plate 20 but within an upwardly turned nipple 23 into which the lower end of a larger tube 24 is tightly threaded.

Tube 24 extends above the normal level of the .juice J in the receptacle 19 and is proof against the entrance .of the juice to its chamber 25. The

upper end of tube 24 has a plug 26 held therein with a bore 27 therein and a counterbore 28 communicating therewith at the top. A valve seat 29 is formed at the lower end of the bore 27 adaptedto-be engaged by a beveled valve 30 having a stem 31 extending thru the plug 26. Stem 31 carries a compression spring 32 which is compressible between a collar 33 on the stem and the bottom of the counterbore in the plug 26 and tends to close the valve.

A collar 34 is attached to the upper end of tube 24 and has an upwardly turned lug 35 to which a lever 36 is pivoted at 37. Lever 36 is connected with or rests against the upper end of valve stem 31 at a point intermediate the ends of the lever.

Afioat 38 is mounted centrally within the receptacle 19 and is guided in its vertical movement by means of a member 39 secured to and extending inwardly from tube 24, the float having a stem 40 slidable in a portion of member 39. The upper end of float stem 40 may be provided with a pair of spaced collars or flanges 41 and 42, between which the end of lever 36 may be held as by means of a yoke or bend 43.

The by-pass 2 extends upwardly thru plate 20 and into the receptacle 19 to a point substantially above the normal level of the juice J at which point it is open to the chamber 18.

In operation, when the tank T is partially filled with the juice J and valves 6 and 7 are open, a uniform suction is created in the pipes V and 5, tank T and chamber 18 of receptacle 19. Thus the suction on both sides of the juice in tank T is balanced and the juice will flow by gravity into and upwardly thru pipe S. At the institution of an operation, receptacle 19 will be void of juice and the fioat 38 therein will be at rest at its lowest extreme of movement, and

the weight of the fioat will effect the opening ofvalve 30 against the tension of spring 32, by reason of the engagement of lever 36 with valve stem 31.

Thus, suction is created in tube 24 and chamber 18 of receptacle 19 as the juice flows into and rises in the receptacle. As the juice displaces the air in the pipes S and S and their connections, the air rises in advance of or in bubbles with the juice into the receptacle and finally finds its way to the upper portion of chamber 18 above the level of the juice, from which it is evacuatedthru tube 24, pipe V and pump P.

The juice will continue to rise in the receptacle 19 until the float 38 is sufficiently elevated to relieve pressure on and permit the closing of air valve 30, and beyond such a level to an extent to which any remaining air in chamber 18 may be compressed. When the juice in receptacle 19 reaches its normal level the chamber 18 will be closed against the effect of the vacuum in pipe V, and if and asair may leak into the'pipes S and S thru valves 8 or other connections, such air will seek a higher level and rise in and thru pipes S and S into the upper portion of chamber 18.

p In the event the accumulating volume of air in chamber 18 is sufficient to overcome the gravity pressure on juice J in the bottom of said chamber, the level of the juice is gradually lowered and the float 38 is correspondingly lowered until the air valve 30 is again opened to permit the evacuation of the excess air thru tube 24 and pipe V. Whereupon, the level of the juice and the float are again elevated to normal positions and the valve 30 is again closed, as before.

The filling of receptacles 13 with the juice is accomplished by manuallyelevating the tables or plates 11 with the cans centrally positioned thereon, until the hoods 9 are in air tight engagement with the plates 11, at which times the suction in pipes V and 14 becomes effective for evacuating the chambers 17 of the fillers of air. When a vacuum is created in the hoods 9 the valves 8 are operated for permitting a flow of the juice by gravity into the cans 13. At the completion of a filling operation the can 13 is fitted with a top and is then placed on a conveyor by means of which it is transferred to a sealing machine.

Valve 3 in the by-pass 2 is normally closed during the operation of the system but is efiective, at intervals, for flushing out the entire system so as to prevent unsanitary conditions and the clogging of the various pipes and connections of the system. In such case the valve 3 is opened, and water or a cleaning solution may be drawn from tank T into chamber 18 of the air release device R, thence outwardly thru the pipes 2 and V and pump P, or by means of a drain connection, not shown, directly from pipe V.

It will be thus apparent that any air which may enter the juice pipes and connections, by ordinary leakage, breakage of a valve or valves or other parts, accident or carelessness in operation of the system, will be conducted to and evacuated from the air release chamber 18 automatically without impairing the operation of the system or a stoppage of operation. Regardless of any or all possible conditions which might otherwise affect the operation of the system, the means I have devised and shown herein will prevent the flow of juice from the device R, except by design, as when flushing the receptacle 19 and its connections.

What I claim is:

l. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a plurality of filling units connected therewith, an air release mechanism connected with said tank and with said filling units, a vacuum system connected with said filling units and with said air release mechanism and automatically operable for collecting and releasing air which may enter said filling units and connections, and means for connecting said vacuum system with said tank at a point above the level of the liquid therein, for maintaining a balanced pressure on opposite sides of the liquid supply.

2. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a supply line leading therefrom, a vacuum filling unit connected therewith, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, a vacuum line connected with said filling unit and with said air release mechanism and means in said air release mechanism for collecting and releasing air which may enter said supply line and connections.

3. A filling system for liquid containers com-, prising a tank for the liquid, a supply line leading therefrom, a vaccuum filling unit connected therewith, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, a vacuum line connected with said filling unit and with said air release mechanism, and means in said air release mechanism for collecting and releasing air which may enter said supply line and connections, said air release mechanism including means controlled by the variable level of the liquid therein, for automatically operating the air release means.

4. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, 9. supply line leading therefrom, a vaccuum filling unit connected therewith, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, a vacuum line connected with said filling unit and with said air release mechanism, means in said air release mechanism for collecting and releasing air which may enter said supply line and connections, and a connection between said vacuum line and said tank at a point above the level of the liquid therein,

5. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a supply line leading therefrom, a vacuum filling unit connected with said supply line, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, and a vacuum system connected with said tank at a point above the level of the liquid therein and with said filling unit and said air release mechanism for automatically collecting and releasing air present in said liquid.

6. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a supply line leading therefrom, a vaccuum filling unit connected with said supply line, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, and a vacuum system connected with said tank at a point above the level of the liquid therein and with said filling unit and said air release mechanism for automatically collecting and releasing air present in said liquid, said air release mechanism including means controlled by the variable level of the liquid therein for effecting the release of the air therefrom.

7. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a supply line leading therefrom, a filling unit connected therewith, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, a vacuum system connected with said air release mechanism at a point above the maximum level of the liquid therein, a valve thereat controlling the application of the vacuum, and means controlled by the level of the liquid in said air release mechanism for regulating the opening and closing of said valve.

8. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a supply line leading therefrom, a filling unit connected therewith, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, a vacuum system connected with said air release mechanism at a point above the maximum level of the liquid therein, a valve thereat controlling the application of the vacuum, and means controlled by the level of the liquid in said air release mechanism for regulating the opening and closing of said valve, said air release mechanism arranged to normally prevent the discharge of the liquid therefrom.

9. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a supply line leading therefrom, a filling unit connected therewith, an air release mechanism connected with said supply line, a vacuum system connected with said air release mechanism at a point above the maximum level of the liquid therein, a valve thereat controlling the application of the vacuum, means controlled by the level of the liquid in said air release mechanism for regulating the opening and closing of said valve, said air release mechanism arranged to normally prevent the discharge of the liquid therefrom, a by-pass connection between said vacuum system and said air release mechanism, and a valve therein for permitting the flow of a liquid therefrom for flushing the system.

10. An air release mechanism for vacuum filling systems comprising a receptacle, means for supplying a liquid thereto, a vacuum connection thereto and including a chamber closed against the entrance of the liquid thereto, a valve in said chamber, means in said receptacle and controlled by the level of the liquid therein for regulating the operation of said valve, so as to render the vacuum effective for evacuating the air from the receptacle, said means including a float suspended in said liquid and means for operatively connecting said float and said valve, an auxiliary vacuum connection with said receptacle including a pipe in communication with said receptacle at a point above the level of the liquid therein, and a valve in said pipe efl'ective, when open, for flushing said receptacle and connections.

11. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tank for the liquid, a supply pipe leading therefrom, a filling unit connected with said supply pipe, a combined liquid and air receptacle connected with said supply pipe, a vacuum system connected with said receptacle at a point above the maximum level of liquid therein, a valve thereat for controlling the flow of air therefrom, and means connected with said valve and con trolled by the level of the liquid in said receptacle for operating said valve to release the accumulated air in said receptacle.

12. A filling system for liquid containers comprising a tankjor the liquid, a supply pipe leading therefrom, a filling unit connected with said supply pipe, a combined liquid and air receptacle connected with said supply pipe, a vacuum system connected with said receptacle at a point above the maximum level of liquid therein, a valve thereat for controlling the flow of air therefrom, and means connected with said valve and controlled by the level of the liquid in said receptacle for operating said valve to release the accumulated air in said receptacle, said supply line having a point of lowest elevation at a point adjacent said filling unit and a point of maximum elevation adjacent said receptacle, whereby the air collected in said supply line may rise to said receptacle.

JACK P. RICCI. 

